Section one: Contracting entity
one.1) Name and addresses
Firmus Energy (Distribution) Limited
A4-A5 Fergusons Way Kilbegs Road
ANTRIM
BT414LZ
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKN0D - Antrim and Newtownabbey
Companies House
05375370
Internet address(es)
Main address
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.6) Main activity
Production, transport and distribution of gas and heat
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Firmus Energy Construction and Maintenance Works and Services Contract
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 45231221 - Gas supply mains construction work
two.1.3) Type of contract
Works
two.1.4) Short description
firmus Energy (Distribution) Limited (firmus) is conducting a preliminary market engagement exercise, prior to commencing a competitive tender process to identify a successful bidder to undertake a contract for construction, maintenance, emergency response and siteworks activities to build and extend the existing gas network for its gas distribution business.
firmus is seeking the views of interested parties that may wish to participate in the forthcoming tender process, in relation to certain aspects of the project.
The purpose of this periodic indicative notice and associated Request for Information (RFI) (available on request from RFI@firmusenergy.co.uk)is to invite interested parties to express and register their interest in the forthcoming opportunity and provide information to assist with firmus' consideration of the options available and preparation of the tender process.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £85,000,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 44100000 - Construction materials and associated items
- 45231100 - General construction work for pipelines
- 45231110 - Pipelaying construction work
- 45231111 - Pipeline lifting and relaying
- 45231112 - Installation of pipe system
- 45231220 - Construction work for gas pipelines
- 45231221 - Gas supply mains construction work
- 45231223 - Gas distribution ancillary work
- 45333100 - Gas regulation equipment installation work
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKN0 - Northern Ireland
Main site or place of performance
- Derry/Londonderry
- Limavady
- Coleraine
- Ballymoney
- Ballymena
- Antrim
- Craigavon (including Lurgan and Portadown)
- Armagh
- Banbridge
- Newry
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
firmus will shortly be undertaking a competitive tender process to identify a successful bidder to undertake a contract for construction, maintenance, emergency response and siteworks activities to build and extend the existing gas network for its gas distribution business (as detailed further below (works)).
It is currently anticipated that:
- any contract awarded will have a potential 5 year duration (comprising an initial contract period of 3 years, with the ability for firmus to renew the contract at its discretion and subject to satisfactory performance by the successful party in accordance with the terms of the contract, for two subsequent 1 year periods).
- all works required will be awarded to a single contractor to complete in accordance with the terms of the contract. firmus shall however appoint a second "reserve" contractor who may, at firmus' discretion, be appointed to undertake the entirety of the works in the event that the successful contractor is unable or unwilling to undertake the works for any reason during the term of the contract.
- estimated annual contract value will be circa £16-17million (total potential contract value of £85million over the full potential 5 year contract period).
- any contract awarded will require the following:
gas distribution network construction services;
gas distribution network maintenance services;
emergency response construction and maintenance services;
sitework services including meter replacement; and
material purchasing, logistics and administration of all engineering materials necessary for gas network construction and maintenance services.
The successful bidder(s) will be required to provide the following:
- retention amount of up to 15% of the amount due per month until a maximum amount of £800,000 is accumulated into a retention fund; and
key performance indicators (KPIs) with financial reward for exceeding KPI target and financial penalty should the successful bidder(s) fail to meet the KPI target.
Interim instalments of the price will be payable monthly, with each interim instalment consisting of the value according to the pricing document of the part(s) of the work properly executed less: previous payments, deduction and retention where appropriate.
The competitive tender process will be conducted on the basis of commercial (50%) and quality (50%) assessment, with quality being evaluated on the basis of safety, technical and environmental aspects.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
24 November 2023
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of expressions of interest
Date
6 November 2023
Local time
5:00pm
four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
English
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
firmus welcomes participation in the pre-market engagement exercise by all interested parties. Interested parties should confirm their interest and request a copy of the RFI (which contains further information regarding the opportunity and pre-market engagement questions that firmus is seeking market feedback on) by emailing RFI@firmusenergy.co.uk. All RFI responses should be returned to RFI@firmusenergy.co.uk by 5pm on 6 November 2023. Interested parties will not be prejudiced by any response/failure to respond to this PIN or the RFI. Information made available as part of this market engagement process will be made available to all bidders who express an interest in any resulting tender process.